A DC-DC multilevel boost converter

A DC-DC converter topology is proposed. The DC-DC multilevel boost converter (MBC) is a pulse-width modulation (PWM)-based DC-DC converter, which combines the boost converter and the switched capacitor function to provide different output voltages and a self-balanced voltage using only one driven switch, one inductor, 2N - 1 diodes and 2N - 1 capacitors for an Nx MBC. It is proposed to be used as DC link in applications where several controlled voltage levels are required with self-balancing and unidirectional current flow, such as photovoltaic (PV) or fuel cell generation systems with multilevel inverters; each device blocks only one voltage level, achieving high-voltage converters with low-voltage devices. The major advantages of this topology are: a continuous input current, a large conversion ratio without extreme duty cycle and without transformer, which allow high switching frequency. It can be built in a modular way and more levels can be added without modifying the main circuit. The proposed converter is simulated and prototyped; experimental results prove the proposition's principle.